I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.

Post-layoff Plan – 7 Top Tips

Today, I got Newletter from Bayt.com for the Month of June, 2009 and I read a really interesting post in it regarding Recession and Layoffs. Its about how you move after layoff and what should be your right plan. I just want to share summary of its 7 Top Tips of Post-Layoff Plan on my blog

Tip 1: Make sure you are fully comfortable with the fact that getting laid off is neither a disgrace nor a crime

Even the most seasoned and talented executives at some of the world’s most prestigious companies have not managed to maintain their roles during the globally mounting wave of layoffs. It’s not exclusively you, an enormous number of working professionals worldwide have been affected.

Tip 2: Weigh up your Finances

Calculate how long exactly your funds will allow you to stay out of a job. It is crucial for you to get that figured out early on in order to avoid surprises and unpleasant hurdles later on. Keep in mind that being on a budget does not have to be a punishment: view it rather as a provisional pre-emptive measure that will allow you to take more control of your personal and household spending for as long as you need.

Tip 3: Assess your Career Objectives

Take the time to perform a “Career Aspiration Analysis”: Undergo a couple of self assessment quizzes, (many good ones available on the Middle East’s #1 jobs site Bayt.com dissect every detail of every job task you enjoyed or resented, examine the set of exceptional skills that you possess. Only once all the above has been accomplished, will you be in an ideal position to select your target employer niche and engage in an effective plan to achieve your chosen career goal.

Tip 4: Update your resume

You are now fully aware of the kind of job and the kind of employer that you wish to target. You also have an outstanding assortment of key skills that you need to highlight without a doubt. Reshuffle your resume with only one thing in mind: “I am the best candidate for this job and the best candidate for this company”! You know it, we know it, let the employer know it. Make it visible in your career objective statement, your career highlights and your list of skills… Be Remarkable, show that you add value and let your CV stand out!

Tip 5: Set layoff objectives

Your resume is ready! You now need to set actual objectives; you need to engineer a layoff calendar of sorts. Being out of a job does not mean you have earned the right to completely halt being productive. As a matter of fact, what you have earned is a brand new title: “Proactive Job Hunter”, meaning you’re on a full time schedule, 5 days a week with 2 days off for the weekend, just like any other working professional you know. Make the job hunt your full time job, set daily and weekly targets for yourself and make it a point to meet these targets

Tip 6: Consider complementing your exceptional skills

Being on the job hunt does not mean your professional development needs to pause. By all means let the self growth and life-long learning continue! Do you think for your newly targeted role, you lack a few skills needed to complement the bouquet of key professional skills that you possess? You can now begin to devote a certain amount of time on a daily or weekly basis to build on the skills that will make you stand out. If anything your commitment to learning and skills acquisition should be stepped up now that you have the luxury of more flexible timing.

Tip 7: Follow a wise networking strategy

A “proactive job hunter” is naturally entitled to lighten up and unwind after a fruitful day of hardcore job search. Unwind wisely! Don’t miss out on family reunions, friends’ gatherings or professional seminars if you wish to, but keep in mind that every networking opportunity can also be a business opportunity (or placement opportunity in your case). Market yourself astutely as the high-flier professional that you are, get the right contacts and get to work professionally following up on every promise and point of contact the following day!